ImprovBoston Outreach Scholarship

ImprovBoston’s mission is to serve the community through laughter. To fulfill that mission, the voices on our stages must reflect the voices in our audiences. As a nonprofit, we believe the study of comedy has the power to liberate creativity, empower communication and build bridges within our community. Furthermore, we believe that diversity happens when one is intentional about it. In this spirit, we offer the ImprovBoston Outreach Scholarship to foster diversity both onstage and off. The scholarship is awarded each session and may be applied to our Improv, Sketch, StandUp or Musical Improv programs. This full tuition scholarship is good from the first level of the chosen program through to its completion, contingent on satisfactory attendance and success in class. The Outreach Scholarship primarily aims to further open the world of ImprovBoston to people of color, though individuals who identify with any minority background, culture, or community are welcome to apply. Scholarships, discounts and internships are available through ImprovBoston to ensure the art of comedy is accessible to all.

Interested applicants should submit their information via the Google form here

ImprovBoston Veterans Scholarship

ImprovBoston’s mission is to serve the community through laughter. To fulfill that mission, the voices on our stages must reflect the voices in our audiences. As a nonprofit, we believe the study of comedy has the power to liberate creativity, empower communication and build bridges within our community.

As a small token of gratitude for those who have served in the United States Armed Forces, ImprovBoston is offering full tuition scholarships to interested veterans. The scholarship(s) are awarded each session and may be applied to our Improv, Sketch, or StandUp programs. If desired, this full tuition scholarship is good from the first level of the chosen program through to its completion, contingent on satisfactory attendance and success in class.

Interested applicants should submit their information via the Google form here

The No Limits Media and ImprovBoston Disability Scholarship

No Limits Media and ImprovBoston partner to announce the first scholarship to help a person with disabilities learn the art of improvisational comedy. Humor has provided an avenue for many ethnic and racial groups to express their individuality, creativity and insight into the human condition. One of our primary philosophies for improvisation is, "everything you need, you already have in you." We believe disability can foster an engaging narrative and a uniquely empowering comic voice for the benefit of all audiences. Through humor and laughter, people with disability perform alongside improvisers of every stripe as we work towards full inclusion in our society. And we'll have a great time doing it.

You may apply for the Disability Scholarship in our Comedy School by filling out this form, along with any other required materials.

Please note the following eligibility requirements must be met in order to proceed with the application process.

• You must be at least eighteen (18) years of age

• You must be able to engage productively in collaboration with others

• Only complete applications will be considered.

ARTIST QUESTIONS

In what ways does having a disability and the experiences of dealing with it and society add to your unique perspective as a comedy artist?

What brought you to ImprovBoston?

What program do you wish to study? (Improv, Musical Improv, Sketch, StandUp)

What are you most excited to learn or explore in the ImprovBoston Comedy School?

What, if anything, do you believe ImprovBoston could do to make the classroom and performance environment accessible, productive and welcoming for you? Please note, we have wheelchair accessible classrooms and stages.

- Letter of intent indicating why you feel you deserve the scholarship and what your plans are for its use

- Your past interests

- Two letters of recommendation (not required, but appreciated)

Interested applicants should submit their information via the Google form here

The Matt Carey Comedy School Scholarship

What are the terms of the scholarship?

The Matt Carey Scholarship covers tuition for IMPROV 101 - IMPROV 701 in succession at the ImprovBoston Comedy School. The improv curriculum at ImprovBoston takes the student through six (6) levels of training, from the foundations of improvisation and the art of comedy to preparing for a Free Form improv comedy performance. For detailed information about specific classes and levels, please visit www.improvboston.com/training. The scholarship is non-transferable, non-redeemable and non-refundable. Since the recipient is a representative of ImprovBoston and the Carey family, the scholarship may be revoked in the event that the recipient is deemed either by the ImprovBoston Board of Directors or Carey family to be unworthy of the award, due to illegal or unethical actions.

Who may apply for the scholarship?

The scholarship is open to interested students between 18 and 25 years of age, students with an interest in using improvisation as a way to pursue a career in performance, writing or directing. The scholarship will be based largely on need and talent, and will be awarded to the individual on that basis. The goal of this scholarship is to assist a talented individual to further pursue his/her talent. There is no minimum level of experience required to apply.

- Letter of intent indicating why you feel you deserve the scholarship and what your plans are for its use

- Your past interests

- Two letters of recommendation (not required, but appreciated)

- A short statement of need

Applications are now being accepted.

Interested applicants should submit their information via Google form here

About Matt Carey

Matt Carey was born in Boston and attended high school in Cambridge. It was during his high school years that he began to channel his natural talent to make people laugh into the field of comedy. He began attending sketch comedy classes at the Cambridge Community School. It was then that Matt answered an ad in The Boston Globe for an audition at ImprovBoston. Although he was not cast in a troupe, a long relationship with ImprovBoston began.

During his college years, Matt was a member of Improv at Vassar and founded The Limit, a comedy group. During the summers he returned to Boston where he performed and took classes at ImprovBoston. Better known as the Matt that looks like Ricky Martin, Matt was a regular and winner at ImprovBoston's Thursday night show, Micetro. In 2003, Matt headed for California where he worked and performed at ImprovOlympic West, Hollywood. He was a sketch comedian and writer with After School Special (at the Comedy Central Stage) and Oh My God This Is Awesome. Matt also was a member of Old People in Yachting Clothes, the ImprovOlympic 2004 Harold Team Champions.

On December 2, Matt and his Improv group Allergic to Todd won their cage match at ImprovOlympic West. On Dec. 3, 2004, Matt Carey, 23, passed away of heart failure. The Matt Carey Scholarship was created to celebrate the talent, ambition, and perseverance Matt exhibited in his short lifetime.

Michael Martin "New Tricks" Scholarship

The Michael Martin “NewTricks” Scholarship is awarded to comedy students age 60 or older. ImprovBoston believes the best improvisers bring all their life experience to the stage. The more life experience, the better the improviser! To help ensure our performers reflect the many voices in the community around us, ImprovBoston is sponsoring this scholarship to make comedy training a reality for our seniors, regardless of financial means.

Michael Martin, at 83, was the oldest graduate of our comedy school. He went on to become a founding member of the locally infamous indie improv group, “NewTricks,” an ensemble comprised of actors in their golden years. Mr. Martin and NewTricks performed regularly at ImprovBoston and leave a legacy to inspire the next generation of age-defying comedy dreamers.

Students 60 and older interested in studying at the ImprovBoston Comedy School may apply for the scholarship. The "full ride" scholarship is good through the consecutive completion of any one entire program: improvisation, sketch, standup or musical improvisation. ImprovBoston is a nonprofit arts organization with a mission to serve the community through laughter.